AT A GLANCE 2012 Action Plan 2007-2017 - Plan d´action 2007-2017

Sapristi! Montréal Gets a French-LanguageComic Book Festival!Montréal’s enormous following of French-language comic books (bandesdessinées) is rejoicing. The Festival BD de Montréal came to life lastyear, drawing some 5,000 enthusiasts to Espace La Fontaine.The three-day event featured an exhibition, live drawings, fanzinesand, of course, tons of bandes dessinées, as well as the opportunityfor readers to meet their favourite authors. Michel Rabagliati added aspecial cachet by designing an ex libris with an illustration of the wellknownpark chalet at the centre of the fun. Another great move waspartnering up with the Festival BD de Lyon on a collective blog space.The lively site saw 24 authors from both cities present their towns onthe theme of urban exploration.Bibliothèques de Montréal also got into the action by leading up tothe festival with a month of BD in the libraries, the perfect opportunityto show off its collection of 50,000 titles. Montréalers have access toa total of 300,000 comics in their libraries.In francophone culture, comics are known as the 9 th art and nowMontrealers finally have the chance to experience it in all its glory, ina family atmosphere at one of the most beautiful parks on the island.Can’t wait until next year!Montréal Gives Canadian Arta New Place of ProminenceThe face of Montréal is always changing and, as it does, public art fromacross the country is in evidence. At the remodeled inter section ofmain arteries Henri-Bourassa and Pie-IX, a new large-scale workof public art will give a striking identity to this city entrance.This will evoke pride in the hearts of Montréalers. The inclusionof art to one of three public spaces under development willcreate a impressive city gateway and a more user-friendlyarea. It is a megaproject that will radically change thehighway-like Pie-IX into an urban boulevard.Three finalists were chosen from the entrants to across-Canada competition.Being asked to submit proposals for the new public art installation are:BGL (Jasmin Bilodeau, Sébastien Giguère and Nicolas Laverdière) ofQuébec City, the Vancouver architectural tandem of Althea Thaubergerand Annabel Vaughan, and Myfanwy MacLeod, also of Vancouver.With an estimated value of a million dollars, the artwork will be inauguratedin 2015. It is to take its inspiration from the special characterof the borough and the proposed changes to the crossroads. Thislocation will attain significance as a passageway between the Rivièredes Prairies and the city, and will contribute to the enrichment of thesurrounding neighbourhood’s urban fabric.The initiative is another perfect example of how the metropolis valuespublic art by putting it in prominent places.76